How I Organize My 5th and 6th Grade Classroom

The view from the back of my room...

and from the front. I have middle/high school desks because I was tired of the "trash collectors" that are elementary desks and it was easier since the students switch classes half way through the day.

This is where I put all of the "stuff" I need to teach from: teacher's manuals, curriculum binders, tape for journals, etc. The bulletin board is covered with a sheet. I loved the dark background against the light colored posters that Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files does so well so I put it up in my room. I already had the black tablecloth on my table, so it was a perfect fit. I put up posters that pertain to whatever we happen to be studying. I love these posters by Becky at dots-n-spots. You can get the posters here: Set 1 and Set 2. They are for 4th and 5th grade, but a lot of the vocabulary can be used for 6th grade and higher.

Under my table are hidden treasures....

To the left of that is this set of drawers. It has all the papers I use all the time (graph paper, lined paper, white cardstock, yellow cardstock) in it (lower ones just have things thrown in there right now...)

My printer that I got from Donors Choose, wooden organizers, inherited from my mother (a retired teacher), that have my label/sticker sheets and misc other things.

My homemade magnetic board made from an oil drip pan (found on Pinterest)

All my curriculum binders....

On the top of the bookshelf are my containers that hold all my ISTEP prep materials. First shelf holds my 6th grade common core binders that are slowly filling up (we don't do full implementation until next year)

The next shelf holds all my 5th grade math material. I haven't gotten around to changing them to the CCSS yet. The third shelf is 5th grade SS...I keep having to get bigger binders so some of my binder labels aren't the right size.

The fourth shelf is 6th grade SS and the bottom shelf is 5th and 6th grade Science.

Other misc. materials

Going around to the right of my table are these rolling tubs I got from Ikea. The top one has weekly report folders in it, I still need to make a sign for it.

I pushed my filing cabinets together like I had seen on Pinterest. I have my standards posted here. I purchased a wonderful set of Math CCSS from Steve at Creative Classroom A to Z. I then made Science and Social Studies standard posters to match. If you are in Indiana, you can purchase the 5th grade and 6th grade Science standard posters from my TpT store. The clip boards normally have student work on them, but all the papers were passed back before the winter break.

Math manipulatives, paper and student workbooks.

My behavior clip chart. I had seen these all over teacher blogs and decided to try it this year. It's been hard to remember to move the clips. I have two groups of students, so the left side is the 6th graders and the right is the 5th graders. I have this chart up for sale in my TpT store.

Class schedule, homework chart and make-up work. I put a magnet strip on the front inside of the file folder and it keeps the folder closed on the sides and attached to the board.

My cart that I teach from. It was an overhead projector cart. I got a board to cover to top including the big hole in it and then covered the board with part of a sheet and used the rest of it to create a skirt for the cart. I think all my signs on here are from Ladybug's Teacher Files.

Student supplies that sit at the end of my teacher desk.

Dry erase boards and netbooks (6 are from Donors Choose and I donated the "fancy" one when I was no longer using it at home - the kids always want to use that one, especially the girls!)

More math manipulatives and games. The large drawers are full of games too. I will eventually change the labels to match CCSS. The small drawers have decks of cards, dice and dry erase markers in them for the math games. The basket is filled with wash cloths to wipe the dry erase boards.

19 comments

Amy I am in awe of your organized space. I love your desks and wish I had them. I agree traditional desks collect too much stuff! Happy Blogging! The only photos of my classroom right now are here:http://2peasandadog.blogspot.ca/2012/10/creating-dynamic-intermediate-classroom.htmlI would love your advise on how to make my room more inviting!

I have to say, all the labeling in your room makes me so happy! I love to label everything! You've done it so nicely too. Very appealing to look at. Your room looks great!SarahSarah's First Grade Snippets

I just came across this post on Pinterest. I recently moved to 5th grade (from 2nd) and have been struggling all year on how to set up my room. I've been inspired! Thank you for sharing your classroom!

I'm glad I could be of some help! Let me know if you have any questions. I've been in this room for almost 6 years and unfortunately I'm still moving things around to get it the way I want it. These were taken last school year and I made several changes this year.